Requirements to participate

• Must be between 15 and 19 years old

• Student must be adventurous and open to change

• No school attendance required

• Must have a valid passport

• Available to travel/host during the summer months

 

Rotary Coordinates

• Complete background checks

• Match student with host country and family 

• Conduct home visits

• Conduct parent/student training

 

Time Line

• September and October: attend information session

• Fall – Apply: September 1st – November 1st

• Winter Training Session/Family Interview

• Spring – Find out your family match and training session

• Summer – Travel and return recap/re-entry session

 

Program Cost
$500 program fee, due by April 1, and includes orientation and training.

Does NOT include travel expenses, travel documents, and health insurance.

​

Family Costs

• Passport

• Airline tickets

• CISI insurance while abroad (required)

• Visa (if required)

• Spending money

 

What to Expect

• Complete the interest form

• Request an information meeting with your parents (optional)

• Complete applications Due Nov. 1

• Home interview (Jan-March)

• Acceptance received – Pay program fee April 1

• Country/Family Match (April-May)

• Before-you-go training session 

• Pack your bags!

 

Guidelines for Host Parents

​

Treatment of Host Son or Daughter 
 

Host parents, treat your host son or daughter as you would your own child. Consider their safety and comfort while on exchange.  Typically, the host family is expected to pay for expenses considered family activities, such as dining out, hotel costs, holiday trips, etc., except for spending money/souvenirs. If you intend for your host child to pay for expenses, these must be voiced prior to the exchange.  

 

STEP FAQs

 

Can I choose the country I go to? 

You will provide your top three country choices on the application. Every effort will be made to match a student with his/her first choice of countries, but that cannot be guaranteed. Availability of foreign students varies year-by-year. We have a good track record at matching students with one of their top 3 country choices.

​

Is proficiency in a foreign language needed?

No. The program is cultural in nature but is also short-term. Many countries teach English as a second language, and most participating students are quite proficient in speaking our language. We encourage all students to learn the basics of the language of their host culture. If you have additional language training and elect to visit a country that speaks that language, you will likely gain some conversational ability. Most students do not find language a barrier to having a great exchange experience.

​

Why is it called an exchange program?

You will be matched with a student of the same gender in a country of your preference. The two of you will spend an agreed-upon time together – half of that time in your home and half of the time in their home. Typical visitations are 2-4 weeks each way. You and your foreign host family will agree on the actual dates of the exchange. Your family and your host family will decide who travels first.

 

Is this a mutual exchange?

Yes, a student will live with a foreign family for approximately 3-4 weeks. When he or she returns, the host brother or sister will also fly back with the student and stay with the U.S. student’s family. The stay here will also be for approximately 3-4 weeks.

 

What is so special about Rotary’s Short Term Exchange Program compared to other programs?

The Rotary International Short Term Exchange Program is volunteer-driven and arranged. It is organized and administered by volunteer Rotarians throughout the world. The program operates at several levels: the local Rotary Club, the district, and the regional level. They screen the students, prepare them, arrange hosting abroad, insurance, etc. Rotarians do all this work as a service, which keeps costs very low and lets you meet Rotarians who believe in the value of exchange. They are not paid to provide this service. Rotarians are community-minded and often hold leadership roles in their hometowns. In times of immediate need, students away from home will feel more comfortable knowing Rotarians are available to help and offer guidance.

 

May I request which gender my student may exchange with?

No, we match the exchanges by same gender/similar age/similar interests. We also look for critical issues, such as a family that can accommodate special needs if necessary (dietary, allergy-related).

​

What are the exchange dates?

You and your host family will coordinate the actual exchange dates. Typically, summer exchange programs occur during June, July, and August when you are out of school.

​

What is the expected timeframe to finalize these arrangements?

After your application and fee are accepted and your home visits and background checks are approved, we will arrange the matching process. The Rotary Youth Exchange Short Term Exchange committee members are responsible for finding a match in the country of your choice.

​

The matching process depends on when applications are received, how many applications we receive, and applicants' gender and interests.

​

How much does it cost?

 

$500 program fee (for summer 2027), which includes Rotary database administration, application processing, a home visit, background checks, and an orientation meeting.

Other expenses will vary by host country destination, student, and spending habits.

• Administration Refund Policy: In the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your exchange after your country-family match, the $500 program fee is non-refundable. 

  • Please remember – if you cancel your exchange after a match has been arranged, then your new sibling has no place to go and will need to stay home. This is a major disappointment. It is incredibly important to be sure of following through on your exchange prior to making this commitment.

• We’ve created a budget worksheet to help you plan. Expenses include round-trip airfare, required travel documents (passport/visa), required insurance, spending money, and the cost of hosting a guest in your home for 3-4 weeks. You will also want to plan for the additional cost of any excursions or events you may attend.

• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ea-KKOu2W1z73sQscpl5kqo0U2aGG6n3/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114732591872388840153&rtpof=true&sd=true 

​

 What are the host family’s obligations? 

You are expected to treat your host student as you would your own child. It is also appropriate to entertain the student beyond the normal family activities to give him/her the best opportunity to experience American culture. For example, family vacations to a summer cottage, a relative’s home, or even another state are normal. The host family pays room, board, and travel expenses as they would for a normal family member. Special outings to the zoo, to a baseball game, to a museum, etc. should also be provided. American students should have NO job/school commitments during the exchange period so they can spend time with their foreign students. We have found that our students are treated first class when they travel abroad. We would like the American host family to reciprocate with a first-class experience for the foreign students.

 

What responsibility does the District STEP coordinator have?

Each coordinator MUST interview the student applicant to ensure he or she will be a good ambassador for their community. The coordinator is also responsible for ensuring the student’s home is appropriate to host the inbound student. The Rotary Club President and Youth Exchange Officer MUST sign the application.

 

How is the student involved in Rotary?

The student (and family, if they desire) are expected to attend 1 Rotary Club meeting prior to departure. This will give them a basis for what to expect if they attend a club meeting overseas with their host sibling and family. Every exchange student, both long-term and short-term, is sponsored by a local Rotary club. These students are ambassadors not only for their family and country but also for Rotary. As such, wear proper attire (business/business casual) when attending the meeting; offer handshakes and introductions freely; and, if possible, give a quick (30-second) introduction of yourself and where you are going.  Students should seek the advice of their local Rotary club counselor if they have any questions about attire.

 

Am I expected to attend an orientation?

Yes, a formal orientation will be set up in the April/May timeframe, ahead of summer departures. The student and at least one parent MUST attend the orientation session. Your Rotary STEP Coordinator will share the exact details. Training dates are TBD, but you can expect sessions in January, March/April, and July.

 

How much money should the student take?

This is a personal decision. The student and family will decide what works best for their situation. Students have been known to leave with $400.00 and come back with $150.00. They’ve also been known to leave with $1,000.00 and call home for more. This must be a personal decision based upon the individual’s situation.

 

My student has graduated from high school. May she/he still apply?

Yes, the age limits are from 15 to 19.

 

May the student participate in this program more than once?

Yes, they may even want to apply for the long-term exchange after visiting a country for the summer. We believe the short-term summer exchange can complement the 9-11 month long-term exchange program.